Story Page Wednesday #11: Opposites Attract



Character Monday #11: Teddy the Yeti

Character Monday #7: Sasquatch & Son

"Hey Dad, Remember that squirrel that used to wake you up every morning by dropping acorns on your head?...He sure was delicious!"

Story Page Wednesday #3: Cthulhu Wants You!

A Page from "A Roar and A Squeak"

Here is another page from my story, "A Roar and A Squeak".  You can order a copy of "8: A Kid's Book Anthology" here:  Indy Planet

Below are some of my thoughts on creative steps and the state of illustration. You can find the responses from the other 8 Anthology contributors here: Artist Q & A

What advice do you have for someone who wants to add more creativity to their life?
 Success (no matter what your creative goals are) does not happen overnight, so get started now. We are lucky to live in a time where we don’t need a huge studio with expensive equipment and supplies to produce quality work.  Save up and invest in a decent “work” computer, a wacom tablet, and some art programs. Look for deals on art supplies and start filling a few art drawers with them.  If you have the space, it is helpful to set up a permanent work area.  You may be surprised by how many tiny bits of time you can find in a day to chop away at a project if it can stay set up and ready to be worked on.

I keep huge idea lists and smaller project lists and give myself deadlines to finish projects. Starting a blog has helped me keep track of my artistic progress and stay motivated and focused. The online art community is full of supportive, helpful, and cool people, and there are tons of opportunities for critique, collaboration, and networking. You can almost create your own art school experience with all the great forums, tutorials, and communities. Get involved! Here is a good place to start:  http://www.illopond.com/   Podcasts have  played a huge role in building my artistic confidence.

How do you balance family, financial obligations, and creative personal projects?
  I do have to work a day job to pay the bills. I try to make the best of it. I keep notebooks/sketchbooks around at all times.  I think through plot problems and brainstorm ideas so I can put "pencil to paper" during the limited time at my art desk.  I listen to tons of art and business related podcasts and audiobooks at work.

Time with my family is my #1 priority. This time generates the vast majority of my ideas. We eat dinner together every night. We read or tell stories every night at bedtime. We talk about the authors and the illustrators. We draw characters from our own stories. We cherish imagination. We have a lot of art supplies for the kids to use. They are encouraged to work on their own projects. We don’t watch much TV, but we do watch lots of movies together. We talk about all the work and creativity that goes into movie production.  When we see something cool (toys, park designs, games, books, clothes, etc.), I try to talk about the design, creativity, and production that goes into it. Spending time with my kids  helps me see the world with artist’s eyes and a wondering mind.

 What is the current state of illustration, and where is it headed? 
Almost everything we see has some element of design and/or illustration to it. From toys, games, books, movies, ads, clothing, packaging, signs, websites, stationary, logos, and decor…It is everywhere. For such a massive presence in our society, I don’t think that artists/illustrators/designers are always appreciated or taken seriously. Here are some pretty hilarious examples of that:  ClientsFromHell.net  Some people understand how much time and effort goes into quality illustration, but many people still think it is a cute little hobby job, and that’s how they want to pay for it.  (see my previous post Caring for and Communicating with Your Artist) Finding the right market/audience/outlet is the key for success.  (and that's not easy!)

Is there a future for print?
I hope so! I love books. I’ve heard talk that my generation may be the last one to appreciate the printed book. There are plenty of kids out there who have full book shelves, and love trips to the library and bookstores. My kids do– I think they always will.

Is learning animation and programming necessary with the increasing demand for interactive media?
 It is impossible to learn every tool and technology.  I believe we should learn as much as we can, but focus on a few areas that we love and do those “awesomely”. 

How do you stay motivated when you see so many fantastic artists struggle, and “less professional” artists work for next to nothing?
Spec work and world economies make it incredibly difficult to earn a living wage as an illustrator. It is a competitive field that is full of awesome talent.  It’s not ever easy. When I’m not feeling great about my professional progress, I try to remember how much I enjoy creating and look back at my finished work. I always hope that someone else “gets it”, but I do this “just for me”, too. 
What are the most important things we can do right now to be relevant in 10 years?
Work on projects that we truly love and truly believe in. Stay informed and educated. Build deep and lasting relationships. Value children and teach value to children.

What are some of you influences and/or inspirations?
I am a pretty big fan of horror. I love horror movies from the Universal films to modern classics like The Devil’s Backbone. I especially love classic horror tales by M.R. James, Poe, Lovecraft, Ambrose Bierce, Saki, and all those old gruesome fairy tales. 

"Art of..." concept books are a HUGE influence for me.  I love the media experimentaion, the sketchy lines, and the variations that never became part of the finished work.

It is my opinion that the best artwork in the world is found in children’s books. I can (and do) spend hours and hours flipping through illustrated books for kids. Very inspiring stuff.  Three of my favorite artists are Charley Harper, Pascal Campion, and Chris Ayers .

The Arrival

Here is an early sketch for one of next year's short stories.  It will be a 1950's style sci-fi romp with a Twilight Zonesque twist.  Ughh! I've been reading too many badly written reviews lately.  

The Gargoyle Goblin

The Gargoyle Goblin is a character from Morgan MonsterHunter & the Crypto Kid.  In this story,  he threatens to devour Morgan's pet mouse, Fuzzbutt.  In the end, Morgan tricks the Gargoyle Goblin into a eating a zhu zhu pet, leaving Fuzzbutt safe and happy.  

Yes,  much of this plot came from a 5-year old's head.

Another Page and Website Update

Here is another page for the children's story anthology.  I'm almost finished and ready to start a new story.   It's about a dude named Sam.   He tries to convince this other dude to try green eggs and ham.  But this other dude is convinced that he doesn't like green eggs and ham.  Well, in the end, he does try them and he likes them!  Funny, huh?     I'll put in some cool illustrations and I have a great rhyme for the story.  Also I'm thinking about becoming a doctor.  We'll see what happens.

I've put up my new website.  I have a lot of stuff that I want to add to it over time, but  I wanted something out there now.  If you check it out, you can let me know if you find any broken links or other problems.  My biggest concern is how it displays on different screen ratios. How's it look on yours? I'll update as I make the site bigger and better!denverwagner.com

What's cooking, D?

I'm close to finishing my illustrations for the kid's anthology book.  Here is another sneak peek:

I'll have more information as a release date is determined.  Then you will buy it because it is full of awesome stories and fantastic artwork!  It has been fun to work on, but it was more time consuming than I expected.  I've been told that when you start a project, you should double the amount of time you estimate it will take.   That seems about right.

I'm excited for the upcoming months.  I have four projects that I want to focus on for the rest of 2010.

1. Finish writing and illustrating my story named "Stacks".  I have a simpler line style for these illustrations that I think will work really well with the story.
2.  Focus on concept art, character designs , and storylines for "Morgan Monster Hunter and the Crypto Kid".    This will be an ongoing story,  I want to get some Morgan stuff out in 2011.
3. I need to get more comfortable with Photoshop and Illustrator so I will work on 2 or 3 portfolio pieces in each program.  
4. Rework a bunch of canvases. I want some actual physical pieces to display and sell.  I have a pretty cool theme in mind, which could turn into the illustrations for a story that I am still developing.  Must...get ...more..use...out  of each...piece.

And of course, I must stay focused on finding clients and marketing myself.  Not easy, my friends.

 Last but not least, I have a NEW WEBSITE in the works!  It will be waaaaaaaay cooler than my current portfolio site.  Hopefully, I'll have it up within the next week or so.  Stay tooned!

If I am not working towards my goals, I am working against them.

Armadillo Pillows are supernatural creatures that breath dreams.  They live in the bedrooms of children throughout the world, where they magically disguise themselves as pillows.   They are muses, inspiring creativity, contentment, and a drive to fulfill dreams.  They are also protectors, doing their best to guard against the nightmares caused by the dreaded Dreks.

"You have to put in many, many, many tiny efforts that nobody sees or appreciates before you achieve anything worthwhile."

-Brian Tracy

I am a story-teller and an artist.  In the past year of my life, I have taken a serious attitude towards being a successful story-teller and artist.  This blog is nearing it's one year mark (July 27th).  It has been helpful in my exploration and education of the online and digital world that is a necessary reality for modern success in any creative endeavor.  It has also been a fun and motivational tool to keep me focused on my creative goals.

I have set up an online portfolio: denverwagner.com.  I designed and printed my business cards and postcards.  I invested in a new computer (my 1st Mac!! Yeah!), new software (CS5!! Yeah!),  art supplies, and dozens of books.  I am involved in online artist communities. (Lot's of really cool people out there!)

I have studied, read, and researched the business, marketing, and sales side of creativity.  This is not always fun or interesting- but I have been surprised by how often it actually is.  Business skills, like artistic skills, are always evolving and expanding, but now I have a decent base to stand on.

"To infinity and beyond!"

-Buzz Lightyear

In the months and years ahead, I will focus on building a reliable client list.  My style leans towards illustrating children's products, media, books, and educational materials.  I intend to focus on earning more clients in these industries.  Along with more client work, I hope to grow a significant library of personal projects.

In 2010 (and beyond), I believe having several finished or in production personal projects is just as important as having a strong portfolio.   The economy is bad and the competition is awesome.  Ideas are a dime a dozen.  Having finished projects shows the world (including potential clients) that I have good ideas and the discipline to make something out of those ideas.

Hindsight is 20/20.  I wish I had started down this path years ago, but I can't complain.  In the past 10 years, I played in some really awesome bands, married the woman of my dreams, and had two amazing children who changed my whole outlook on life. 

Now being successful with my work is not about me anymore.  I am a story-teller and an artist.  This is the best way I can provide for my family.  I am a lazer beam focused on an intense production schedule.  I will finish 1 or 2 large projects every year.  I will finish a dozen or more smaller projects every year.  I have a dozen projects in development right now and three in production with two to be finished in 2010.  (And an idea list 100 items deep.)

When I find myself in the right place at the right time,  I will have something to show.

Being lucky is hard work.

My Exclusive Interview with Bigfoot

I received a phone call during dinner last night.  I assumed the caller must have been one of my favorite cryptids:  the legendary Sasquatch!  I took the opportunity to ask the big guy a few questions and try to get a sense of what it must be like to walk in those giant shoes.

Given the shrinking area of natural places on earth and the encroachment of more and more humans into your habitat, How have you remained so elusive?

Bigfoot:  Mr. Wagner, we're calling with important information that could save you over 10 percent on..

Just answer the question.

Bigfoot:  ...sorry?  I am calling with an opportunity to save up to 10 percent on your landscaping and...

How do you avoid being photographed in a world where everyone has a camera in their phone, and satellites are constantly mapping out every nook and cranny of our planet?

Bigfoot:  You should know that we specialize in both weed and pest control and have a customer satisfaction rating of...


Are you related to the Yeti of the Himalayan Mountains?

Bigfoot:  We also have some great new products...

How about Nessie from Loch Ness? 

Bigfoot: ...huh?

Ha ha...Just kidding.  So I just have one more question.  Do you prefer Bigfoot or Sasquatch?
Hello? ...Hello?

A Sneak Peak

A couple months ago, I was invited to take part in a very cool story anthology for kids.  The contributors are an amazing and talented group with diverse and imaginative story-telling styles.  I've been able to watch their stories develop and the illustrations "come to life" in our creators forum.  I am truly honored to be part of the group.  We are self-publishing the book through Ka-Blam, which is a print-on-demand / distribution service.  The book will be released this fall and I will be posting a lot of cool stuff about the stories, creators, processes, and other information as the release date gets closer.

In the meantime, here is a page from my story, "A Roar and a Squeak".  I am still cleaning up and tweaking the illustration, but you can get the overall idea of what I'm trying for.

 

Here is the text:

There is a place that is green and sticky and wild. 

It is a forgotten place where monkards swing from the branches above, and the air sizzles and pops as a crackle cat chases down a stingrat. 

The forest is bursting with a whirling flurry of life.   Until...

Rubabutu Rain Bird

In 1867, Charles Willoughby III discovered the rubabutu rain bird deep in the forgotten forest.  Willoughby couldn't have picked a more inappropriate name for the little creature.  It is not a bird and it hates getting wet.  Willoughby was mauled and killed two years later by another one of his foolishly named discoveries...the gentle love ape.

Goob & Boog

These guys just showed up on my blog this morning.  Not sure what their intentions are but I like their names. 

Spontaneous Sproutings

I don't know why this guy looks so freaked out.  I'd love to spontaneously sprout six new arms.  Wait....maybe they are evil arms.  Hmmm...I'd like to sprout six helpful extra arms...and a smarter brain.  Then I could think gooder while I make stuff with all them arms.

The Forgotten Wildlife: Crockens

Crockens love the ferny undergrowth of Nufsed's steam fog forests.  They spring forth with amazing speed and agility to eat almost any passing creature, including the other predatory "eaters" of the forest.  All creatures fear crockens, but many also rely on crockens for their survival.  Crocken eggs are the main source of nutrition for dozens of the forest's inhabitants. The crocken deposits ten to twenty "eater eggs" for every fertilized egg that it lays.  Even the males lay these watermelon sized "eater eggs".  An acre of crocken territory can have up to 25,000 crocken eggs on it's floor.  Crockens like to keep their prey close and fat.  Ahhh, the circle of life.

The Raspberry Gnome

I've been putting a lot of time into a graphic novel version of Morgan Monster Hunter & the Crypto Kid.  It will be an all-ages origins story and it looks really cool in my head. My goal is to get a large chunk of it done this year.  The blog posts may slow down a bit so I have time to focus on this and a few other projects.  I will still post at least 2-3 times a week so please keep checking in or subscribe(button in the column to the right).
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Something I've been hearing and reading a lot over the past year or so is "the project is the new portfolio".  A good portfolio is a necessity and I need to continue to update mine with stronger pieces, but I want to have a few cool finished projects to show as well.  Also, I want to get some of this stuff out of my head before I die. I'm hoping for another 50 years or so, but I may only get 50 minutes. Yikes!  The time to DO is upon me!
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There is not a lot of time beyond family, work, sleep, and building a business, but there are a lot of ideas.     I'm going to try to squeeze in 10 hours a week for personal work.  Good bye sleep, hello satisfaction.  Of course, there will be dozens of smaller things sprinkled in here or there, but these are the big ones.

-MMH & the CK comic 

-A fun/educational book w/ my wife (my ace in the hole? hmmmm...)

-Two long-term portfolio pieces (way too awesome to detail here:)

- A large series of fast and smallish acrylic and/or watercolor paintings
-The Forgotten Wildlife web comic?

I am often frustrated, but I am never bored.   And now...

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The Raspberry Gnome is a MMH & the CK bedtime story.  He does not appear in the origins story line, but my daughter and I had a good couple laughs with him. Maybe he'll show up again down the road.

On a warm summer day, Morgan and the Kid were out taking pictures and sketching in the woods behind Morgan's house. They came across a patch of bushes with the most delicious raspberries they had ever tasted. They heard a rustling from deep within the patch and then they heard a raspy little voice.

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"Leave my berries alone!" the voice said.
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We find out that the Raspberry Gnome, who tends the bushes, is not fond of sharing and turns Morgan into a toad. The Crypto Kid runs off to hide at his house. He worries about his friend, who finally shows up at his door. The Kid and Morgan the Toad devise a plan that not only turns Morgan back into a girl, but gives the Raspberry Gnome a taste of his own medicine.
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This story had several laugh out loud parts and I think influenced the comedic turn a lot of the future stories took.
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.Here is an earlier sketch of the Raspberry Gnome:
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Octobuddy

An octobuddy must be very careful when it scratches an itch. Thousands of octobuddies pop themselves every year. That is not enough! The octobuddy invasion has been devastating. It's estimated that 97% of the world's population has fallen under molluscular consciousness. If you are reading this post, know that you are not alone. There are others like you and we are stockpiling pointy things, too. Earth will be ours again!

Illustration Friday: Propagate

Here is my submission for Illustration Friday: Propagate. To learn more about yappers see my previous post: The Yapping of the Yups.

Topet & Rehmy

...Aaahhh shuda...
...Gupa Nupa :) ...
...Ning-a-ning-a Ningu...
...Gunda = Yub Yub...
... lol...